Changes to Policy Regarding Normal Availability and Unavailability of Official Court Reporters

In line with CCP §269(a)(1), California Rules of Court, rule 2.956, and General Order 22-31 “Court Reporter Availability Policy for Civil and Probate Cases,” the San Bernardino Superior Court is modifying its official court reporter policy.

Effective February 27, 2023, the San Bernardino Superior Court’s policy regarding the normal availability and unavailability of official court reporters will be changing as follows:

• Currently, the court is providing official court reporters in felony criminal cases, criminal trials, juvenile, family law, and Lanterman-Petris-Short (LPS) conservatorships.
• Unless otherwise required by law, official court reporters will not be available for infractions, misdemeanors, limited and unlimited civil, and probate.
• The San Bernardino Superior Court will provide electronic recording services for traffic court trials, misdemeanor matters, and other proceedings that the court finds good cause.

Parties must make arrangements for a court reporter in advance of the proceeding they want the proceedings to be reported. Parties must stipulate to a court reporter and file the required form (Stipulation and Appointment of Court Reporter Pro Tempore) with the court at least five days before the hearing. The form should be filed at the court district, in the courtroom, the visiting court reporter was secured for.

The Notice of Availability of Official Court Reporting Services identifies availability and unavailability of official court reporters for each department and is available on the court’s website under 'Availability of Official Court Reporters'. The court is not obligated to provide court reporter transcripts free of charge to a party who has been granted a waiver of court fees and costs (See Jameson v. Desta (2018) 5 Cal.5th 594, 623-625).

All court districts require entry through security screening. Please allow additional time for parking and security screening.

Availability of Official Court Reporters

The proceedings for which official court reporters shall normally be provided will be posted in the clerk’s office at each court facility. You can find the Availability of Court Reporters here.

Information for Attorneys and Litigants
RE: Court Reporter Unavailability

Background
The Superior Court of California, San Bernardino County has been suffering from a severe lack of court reporters as needed in mandated case types, rendering them unable to routinely cover non-mandated case types, including civil and probate cases.

Effective February 27, 2023, the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino, will no longer provide official court reporters in civil and probate matters, with the exception of Lanterman-Petris- Short (LPS) conservatorships.

Process to Secure a Visiting Court Reporter
Attorneys and litigants in civil and probate proceedings may secure their own court reporter if a record of the proceedings is desired by contacting available court reporters.

The visiting court reporter will need to complete the “Stipulation and Appointment of Official Reporter Pro Tempore” form, located here. The form should be filed at the court district, in the courtroom, the visiting court reporter was secured for. The form must be filed within five days of the court proceeding.

Standards to Consider (When Securing a Visiting Court Reporter)

• Real time availability
• Length of proceeding/hearing to ensure consistency of the court reporter
• Court location and travel time/distance
• Technology to ensure adequate connection
• Active CA CSR license in good standing

All court districts require entry through security screening. Please allow additional time for parking and security screening.

Useful Links

General Order 22-31 Court Reporter Availability Policy

Information Sheet for Attorneys & Litigants RE: Court Reporter Unavailability

Availability of Official Court Reporters

Stipulation and Appointment of Official Court Reporter Pro Tempore

Acorn Uploading Requirements

Pursuant to Government Code 39955, reported notes are the official records of the court. All certified shorthand reporters (CSR), either privately retained, or an employee or contractor of the court, are required by law to upload steno files to ACORN. ACORN is the repository that court reporters, both official and visiting, upload their daily notes into.

Any privately retained, court employed court reporter or contractor must:

• Upload each day’s steno notes to ACORN within 48 hours of the date of the proceedings except in extenuating circumstances and as approved in advance by a Court Reporter Manager/Supervisor.
• In the Comment box, note the department number, proceeding type reported, Full day or Half Day.

The notes must be labeled with the following information:

• Reporter name and CSR number
• Date Proceedings taken
• Department proceedings reported
• Case name and number

To upload steno notes, you may access the ACORN program by clicking here. If you need assistance with creating a user name and password, please contact the Court Reporter Supervisor, at the assigned court district, via email or phone number.

Pro Tem Certified Shorthand Reporter

Pro Tem Court Reporters hired per diem by the Superior Court of California, County of San Bernardino are required to upload their notes into ACORN at the end of their assignment, prior to submitting their billing form.

Who may I contact if I have a question regarding a Court Reporter?

For questions regarding a court reporter, please contact:

How Do I Request a Transcript?

Requesting Transcripts from Official Court Reporters

Requesting Transcripts from Visiting Court Reporters